Swaythling

Swaythling Station opened in 1883, and has remained largely unchanged for 125 years. The Old English word ‘swætheling’ meaning ‘misty stream’, could be a reference to ‘Monks Brook’, flowing nearby.

Built by a local firm, this little station nearly came to an unfortunate end when a German bomb fell into the main booking hall during an air raid in 1941. Very luckily, the bomb did not actually explode, and the damage was soon repaired. Now Grade II listed, the main building is set well back from the platforms because it was intended to place two additional tracks through the station. However the extra lines never appeared!

The construction of a large, ramped over-bridge has been the only major alteration during the station’s existence. Recently, the station has benefited from a refurbishment.